Relationship Factors and Condom Use among Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence

Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk for HIV infection. To further the understanding of the dyadic factors that impact condom use among women, we investigated the impact of three relationship factors (i.e., power, fear, and dependence) on the association between HIV-related information, motivation, and behavioral skills [constructs from the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model] and condom use among abused women. 

Data from 133 urban, low-income women recruited from several community-based agencies (e.g., domestic violence agencies, women's health organizations, hospitals, Department of Health and Human Services, and Family Court) showed that these women experienced high levels of IPV and that relationship power, fear of abuse, and partner dependence were all associated with condom use. Multivariable models revealed that fear of abuse and partner dependence moderated the association between IMB constructs and condom use but relationship power did not. 

Results highlight the critical need to incorporate strategies to address relationship factors in HIV prevention programs with abused women.

Via: http://ht.ly/SaEU5 

By: McGrane Minton HA1, Mittal M2, Elder H1, Carey MP3.

• 1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
• 2Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, 1142 School of Public Health, Room 1142EE, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
• 3Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital and Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.